There are many topics more exciting than homeowners insurance, I'll grant you that. But since your house is likely to be your biggest asset, it's wise to periodically examine coverage, to ensure that you're adequately covered against damage and liability.

This is especially important if you're planning a major project, such as remodeling, rebuilding or building new.

Anytime you hire a contractor to work on your home or property, take time to verify that they and any subcontractors are appropriately insured, as well as licensed and bonded. While it's a gooAd idea to ask for a contractor's certificates of insurance, an even better practice -- because certificates can be faked or altered -- is to contact the insurers to confirm coverage. Some experts recommend that contractors carry at least $1 million in coverage for each insurance type.

Meanwhile, highly rated insurance providers tell us that you should consider an extra step: Get yourself named as an "additional insured" on the contractor's general liability policy. This ensures you're fully covered against liability for damage that can occur during your project, such as workers breaking a water line that causes a neighbor's property to flood. Getting yourself added to the policy may cost you little or nothing. Also, it means the insurer will alert you if the contractor's policy lapses.

It's important to realize that some home improvements can affect your homeowners insurance premium or coverage. For example, a major kitchen remodel could mean that your home would cost more to replace in case of disaster. Many policies include a replacement cost endorsement that guarantees sufficient coverage to rebuild your home. It's a good idea to periodically review your homeowners coverage, to be sure you have replacement coverage and that the amount is in line with current costs.

Another renovation-related insurance consideration arises if you transform an unused room into a home office. Standard policies rarely extend coverage for accidents, theft or other hazards that can happen on property used for business. If this is a concern, talk to your insurance company about extending coverage or buying a separate policy.

It's important to inform your agent or insurer when you make significant changes to your home. Building a pool, for example, is likely to raise your insurance rates because it probably will increase your liability risk as well as your home's replacement cost. However, some upgrades might reduce premiums. This can happen if you improve an older home's wiring, roofing or plumbing.

The typical homeowners insurance policy is not sufficient to cover risks associated with building or rebuilding a home. Top-rated insurance experts recommend that you take out a builder's risk policy to insure your property and on-site building materials during construction.

For instance, if half of your house was destroyed, a typical homeowner policy will cover the intact half and a builder's risk policy would cover what's being rebuilt. Agents will base the builder's risk policy cost on building plans and estimated construction costs.

If you're in the market for home-related insurance, be sure to get quotes from several companies that have good ratings from both consumers and from independent rating organizations.

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Are you properly insured for remodeling?

Eagleville, PA (PRWEB) September 15, 2014

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) has named Total Home Solution the 2014 Northeast Regional CotY winner for Bathroom Remodeling in its annual awards competition. Total Home Solution specializes in Design and Build, managing and supervising every project all the way from helping with new ideas and overseeing the design to completion. They bring that approach to every project, no matter where it is in each home. This approach was especially helpful on the award-winning project: remodeling a small, outdated bathroom just two days after a young couple moved into their new home. The project included knocking down walls, adding closets and designing a new bathroom to fit within a much larger space.

Contractors from seven different regions around the country vie for CotY awards, which celebrate the work of outstanding remodeling professionals. Regional CotY Awards are judged by an independent panel of experts in the remodeling field. Regional winners are eligible for national recognition at NARIs Evening of ExcellenceSM reception held each spring. To be considered for a CotY Award, projects must involve a significant level of difficulty in meeting the needs of the clients. In this case, Total Home Solution had to implement a firm timeline due to the imminent birth of the couples first baby. The cost allotted to the project also needed to be firm; there was no additional money for adjustments.

In order to meet the creativity component of the CotY Award, applicants must show unique use of certain design elements, such as type of tile, pattern, and texture. Tom Hawks, owner of Total Home Solution, selected a natural stone mosaic tile border in the shower as well as the backsplash behind the sinks, which promoted smooth flow and continuity throughout the room. In addition, the use of river rock stone and the addition of a pebble shower floor added a unique mix of texture and sensual experience to the room.

One potential obstacle to the flow of the room was that a separate commode room needed to fit into the existing space. This area was carved out of a limited area to provide the necessary privacy but was so creatively done that it blends into the rest of the bathroom.

A major requirement for the CotY Award is the inclusion of unique approaches to the project. In this case, all tile work was hand-done on the project site, using large sheets of stone mosaic tiles cut in strips to create the tile border in the shower and at the sink.

The remodeling projects in this years NARI CotY competition totalled more than $72 million.

NARI is a professional association whose members voluntarily subscribe to a strict code of ethics and represent an elite group among the approximately 800,000 companies and individuals in the U.S. who identify themselves as remodelers.

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Total Home Solution Named Regional Contractor of the Year

An athlete places comfort above anything else while choosing an athlete apparel brand. Worldwide there is a rise in the demand of comfortable fashionable sports apparel. Foot Locker (FL) is a leading global athletic footwear and apparel retailer. Its stores offer the latest in athletic-inspired performance products, manufactured primarily by the leading athletic brands. Foot Locker offers products for a wide variety of activities including basketball, running, and training. Its 1,911 stores are located in 21 countries.

A Look at the Recent Results

(Second Quarter Earnings Report)

Net income for the Companys second quarter ended August 2, 2014 was $92 million, or $0.63 per share, compared with net income of $66 million, or $0.44 per share, last year, an increase in earnings per share of 43 percent. Second quarter comparable-store sales increased 7.0 percent.

Total second quarter sales increased 12.9 percent, to $1,641 million this year, compared with sales of $1,454 million for the corresponding prior-year period. Excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, total sales for the second quarter increased 11.7 percent. The Companys gross margin rate increased to 32.0 percent of sales from 31.2 percent in the second quarter of 2013, while the selling, general, and administrative expense rate improved to 20.9 percent of sales from 21.6 percent last year.

The team at Foot Locker once again achieved record levels of sales and profits in the second quarter, and I am extremely proud of their efforts, said Ken C. Hicks, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. We delivered excellent financial and operational results through the outstanding execution of our strategic priorities. This continues to be a winning formula for us, and we remain committed to taking full advantage of the many opportunities we have identified --- over the near, intermediate, and longer terms --- to continue producing a consistent, strong performance.

(Store Status)

During the second quarter, the Company opened 14 new stores, remodeled/relocated 112 stores and closed 18 stores. As of August 2, 2014, the Company operated 3,460 stores in 23 countries in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition, 47 franchised Foot Locker stores were operating in the Middle East and South Korea. (Source: Companys Website)

Soaring Expectations

FL is currently concentrating on innovating new products. A company prospers by continuous innovation and FL is not an exception to this. Across the globe, many sports apparel companies are targeting female customers, since there is a sharp rise in the female sportswear segment. FL is presently pursuing strategies to woo the women consumers. Further expansion can be expected in Europe. The company is also planning to expand its childrens business by opening new stores for them. The company is focusing on robust expansion strategies. With more focus on store remodeling, e- commerce and technological advancements, the company is all set to grow.

Read this article:
Foot Locker: More Room for Growth

Jim Diamond, left, and Terry Johnston, carpenters with Semco Construction, continue remodeling work for the consolidation of the Civil Division at the Polk County Courthouse in Bartow Friday.

BARTOW | When it comes to making things easier for the customer, the court clerk's office is willing to break down a few barriers in the way, starting with a wall.

In an effort to improve customer accessibility in the Polk County Courthouse, the Civil Division is being remodeled to consolidate all services related to Civil Court activities into one office area, said Stacy Butterfield, Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Since earlier this week, workers have been busy gutting the first floor's southeast corner of the courthouse to make room for family law, domestic violence, domestic relations, probate, juvenile dependency and civil law.

Eventually, a wall in the Civil Division will be knocked down to combine two rooms into one.

Butterfield said the project is part of a strategic plan "to deliver exceptional customer service," and one of the most pressing improvements needed was to consolidate services and office locations.

"I want customers to be able to access our services as quickly and conveniently as possible," she said. "This will eliminate long waits for the elevators and bouncing around the 10-story building. It will also further increase staff efficiencies and resources."

With the current layout, some people go to the front counter in the Civil Division looking for help, but are told to go across the hall or to a different level to address their particular needs, said Kim Stenger, the Civil Division director.

The two rooms to be combined into one in the southeast corner of the first floor will create a total of about 14,110 square feet for the newly remodeled Civil Division, Stenger said.

Customers will be able to walk up to a single long counter for all of their Civil Court needs, Stenger said.

See more here:
Polk Courthouse Remodeling Work Will Improve Customer Service

Elizabeth Miller, Houzz Contributor

A coffee table does a lot of work. It needs to hold books, magazines, drinks, food even games on game night. You might want to put your feet up on it, or the kids might need a place for coloring. Plus its usually smack dab in the middle of the room, where you cant miss it so you want to make sure its a good one.

There are several things to keep in mind when youre picking a coffee table. First think about what you need your table to do for you, or what your room is missing, then pick a table that provides the solution.

Revamp your living room with a new coffee table

Before you buy, mark the footprint with painters tape so you can see the scale of the piece in the room and how that affects the surrounding furniture. If you have a very large room and a large coffee table, you can break up the scale of the table by flanking it with pairs of ottomans or benches, as in this example. When theres a party, they can be moved out of the way for better circulation, but for everyday use these extra seats help connect the sofa at one end and the pair of chairs at the other end. Be sure to use a pair of ottomans not just a single one.

When you have two sofas or any larger seating arrangement, a big coffee table might seem like the obvious solution. But also consider a pair of matching coffee tables. They will keep the focus off one large piece of furniture and let your eye move around the room more easily.

One classic coffee table size is 48 by 24 inches, so you can plan on that when thinking about your furniture arrangement. A large coffee table is often double that: 48 inches square.

A lip edge or tray top on a coffee table is always a smart choice if you have a tendency to spill your coffee or have kids that will be using the coffee table for snacks and drinks. Theyre also good if you entertain often and dont want to worry about red wine getting spilled on your carpet.

Coffee tables should be the same height as the surrounding seating, with 18 inches being a good average (although it will depend on your furniture). If you select a coffee table with a lip, make sure the lip isnt higher than the adjacent seating, or youll end up hitting your drink against the lip when you try to set it down. The idea is to put your drink down, not up.

How to pick out a coffee table that makes a statement

Go here to see the original:
How to Pick Out a Coffee Table

LARGO Four new magnet programs, two new schools, a major remodeling project and new technology in every classroom are a few of the items on the Pinellas County school districts spending list for this school year.

School board members approved a nearly $1.3 billion budget for the 2014-15 school year, as well as a lower tax rate, during the final public hearing Tuesday.

Two years of tight budgeting under Superintendent Michael Grego has helped reverse the school districts trend of spending more money than it takes in, he said. Balancing the budget, and drawing more students into county schools with new programs, allowed the district to launch new programs and to open its first new schools in a decade, he said.

Im incredibly proud that this is the first time in three years our budget is in the black, were building our contingency as a district and keeping our fingers on the pulse of our improvement, Grego said.

The school districts general operating fund, which pays for day-to-day operations and salaries, increased about $8.9 million this year to $881 million.

The district also will receive an extra $24.9 million in state funding, though much of that money is earmarked for special projects, budget specialist LouAnn Jourdan said.

About $1.1 million of the state funding will ensure schools meet the technology requirement for online testing and classrooms assignments under the new Florida Standards, which will be adopted fully next school year.

The increase also has to pay for 16 schools to remain open for an additional half-hour a day for reading intervention because of students low Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test reading scores, a requirement from the Department of Education for the lowest-performing 300 schools in the state.

Overall, the district has a slightly smaller budget than last years $1.33 billion. The district received less from the state for construction and maintenance projects. It has trimmed its capital budget to $267 million compared with last years $301.8 million.

Palm Harbor University High is adding 38 classrooms, eliminating the need for portables. The $13 million project could be completed by June.

See more here:
Pinellas school budget has room to grow

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is reminding homeowners that it is important to understand the rules regarding building permits before embarking on remodeling projects.

While building codes vary from state to state, a permit is generally required for remodeling projects that involve changes to the building's existing footprint, electrical system or plumbing. Adding new windows to existing walls usually requires a permit. Homeowners are likely to need a permit for any project that goes beyond a simple repair or aesthetic upgrade such as:

During a master bathroom addition completed by prior owners 10 years before without proper permits BRY-JO discovered plumbing, electrical and framing that was non-compliant and even dangerous, including the removal of two load-bearing beams, which was causing the second-floor room above the bathroom to start pulling away from the home.

Uncovering this information early on, we were able to incorporate as much detail as possible in our estimate and advise the homeowners we would likely uncover some additional surprises, which added more than $8,000 to the bathroom renovation, said Harris. They were happy with the final results and relieved that their home was not only beautiful, but safe to live in.

When work is done to refresh an existing structure, however, a permit is usually not necessary. For example, updating the appearance of the existing kitchen cabinet doors with laminate layering does not require a permit. Other remodeling updates such as flooring/ceiling coverings, painting/papering, tiling or carpeting and interior wall decorations can usually be done without a building permit.

Permits need to be obtained before the project gets under way. If city officials spot a project without proper permits, work could be stopped until they are obtained, leaving homeowners without a functioning kitchen or bathroom for weeks and a hefty fine.

While it may be tempting to forego the permit, a remodel or addition done without one can be a problem if the homeowner decides to sell or refinance, said attorney Patrick Noaker, from Noaker Law firm, a member in the NARI Minnesota Chapter.

See original here:
NARI Offers Guidance on Permits for Remodeling

By Whitney Bryen

Times-Call community reporter

Rebekah Steers rubs her protruding belly as she rocks back and forth, engulfed in the cushy blue recliner in her living room.

A gentle smile spreads across her face as Rebekah gazes into the kitchen where a wall once separated the two rooms one of many things destroyed during last year's flood.

Now, light fills the open living space and Steers' eyes as she surveys the new life in the Longmont home she shares with her husband, Graham. The home that was filled with mud and despair just one year ago.

Last fall, floodwaters seeped into the brick house in the Bohn Park neighborhood, pushing mud and debris into the couple's first home, which they finished remodeling about two months before the flood.

Rebekah Steers sits at her kitchen table, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014, at their home in Longmont. The Steers are still in the process of remodeling their home after the flood of 2013 and are now expecting a baby. (Matthew Jonas / Longmont Times-Call)

For several weeks following the flood, the Steers lived in a recreational vehicle parked on the street in front of their home, which was covered in mold and mildew and unsafe for Rebekah, who has Lyme disease.

The pair moved into an assisted living facility with a friend in Thornton after vandals broke the RV windows, making the space too cold for the dropping winter temperatures. For the next five months, Graham commuted to Longmont nearly everyday after work to clean, demolish and rebuild their home.

The bottom half of the house had to be stripped to the studs and rebuilt. New drywall, floors and sub-floors, ductwork and electrical wiring was put in.

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Longmont couple brings new life to flood-damaged home

ST. CLOUD, Minn. (MCT) When technical colleges were constructed with a "get in, get out, get a job" mentality, there wasn't much room left for gathering places.

That's why St. Cloud Technical & Community College President Joyce Helens wants to create a communal space on campus with a new and improved center that directly addresses the needs of returning veterans.

Though the school currently has a small designated veteran's space, Helens says the college saw both a need and an opportunity to expand and centralize a resource center for veterans, their families and the community.

"We're learning through unfortunate trial and error that PTSD doesn't only affect the veteran," veteran and faculty member Brian Volkmuth said. "It often reaches the spouse or even the children."

"That is a big concern," he said.

The college wants the Veterans Resource Center, its current working name, to help be a solution.

Bringing together resources

Volkmuth is the faculty adviser for SCTCC's Student Veterans Organization and is himself a veteran, having served in the Marines.

As discussions began about relocating and expanding the school's veterans center, Helens says more and more organizations jumped on board.

"Everybody who has anything to do with veterans is at the table," Helens said.

Continue reading here:
St. Cloud college creates space for veterans

Oakland, CA (PRWEB) September 03, 2014

Jay Cravagan, a highly skilled and knowledgeable general contractor with more than 30 years of residential and commercial remodeling experience, has recently been hired as Project Manager for Superior Builders and Remodelers, a remodeling contractor in the San Francisco Bay Area.

At the rate Superior Builders has grown in 2013-2014 due to the turnaround in the housing market, it made perfect sense to hire a talented individual like Jay as Project Manager, said David Lorber, owner of Superior Builders and Remodelers. Jay will be bring many strengths to our company. Hell be involved in all phases, from preconstruction to final installation, to supervising several work crews and bringing his building expertise to bear on every facet of a job. Jay has worked on almost every type of construction project, from whole-house remodels and room additions to high-rise condominiums to a wide range of commercial building projects.

I have worn every conceivable hat in small- to medium-scale construction, Cravagan said, from carpenter to shop foreman, to estimator and superintendent to business owner. It runs the gamut. So when David asked me if Id like to come aboard as general manager I said yes without hesitation."

In recent years, Lorber said, Superior Builders, like many construction firms, has been impacted by the housing crisis and economic recession. But beginning in 2013 we started seeing a more vibrant housing market and demand started to grow. I began to realize then that I needed someone with Jays skill to supervise the companys residential remodeling projects.

For his part Cravagan is clearly enthusiastic about the opportunity. I have known Dave Lorber for nearly ten years and developed a tremendous regard for his talents, his integrity and his success, he said. Its my great pleasure and privilege to be asked to bring the depth of my experience to Superior Builders and Remodelers and help grow it into an even more profitable company.

Cravagan added that its an ideal time to for residential remodeling for those seeking to buy a home and for those whove previously put off remodeling due to an unpredictable housing market. Mortgage rates have remained surprising low according to industry professionals, widening the pool of potential home buyers throughout northern California.

Were seeing with existing homeowners that many are upgrading to take advantage of low interest rates," Lorber added, "while others sense its time to sell, knowing they can recoup their costs after years of an unpredictable housing market--a scary roller coaster ride for many people, he emphasized. And remodeling certainly pays off. As a homeowner you can often recover remodeling expenses, or recoup them and make a healthy profit, when you sell your home.

According to Remodeling Magazines 2014 Cost vs. Value Report, Attic bedroom remodels, kitchen remodels and basement remodels of high quality, recoup 135.2%, 111.7% and 117.8% respectively. Many other examples of remodeling jobs that recoup costs are cited in the report

Lorber is confident that with Jay Cravagan as Project Manager, Superior Builders and Remodelers can better meet the remodeling needs of SF Bay Area residents, for whatever their reason they choose, whether its for improved living space, better quality of life or adding financial value to their home.

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Superior Builders and Remodelers Hires Jay Cravagan, a Well Respected Bay Area Contractor, as Project Manager